Whiffletree



' (NoModeL) J. B. MoGALLUM.

V WHIFFL'ETREE. I No. 471,880. Patented Mar. 29, 1892.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH BROWN MCCALLUll/LOF ALFORDSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINAI WHIFFLETREE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 471,880, dated March 29, 1892.

Application filed July 10,1891. Serial No. 399,091. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH BROWN Mo- CALLUM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alfordsville, in the county of Robeson and State of North Carolina, have invented certain newand useful ImprovementsinWhiffletrees; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

My invention consists in a newrand improved whiffletree in which I combine great simplicity of construction, which cheapens the cost of manufacture, and unusual strength and lightness, these results being attained by the peculiar construction and arrangement of parts of the whiffletree; and my invention will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my new and improved whiftletree. Fig. 2 shows the parts composing the whiftletree separated. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the whiffietree.

Referring to the several parts by their designating-numerals, 1 indicates the body of the whiiiletree, which is formed, preferably, of a piece of wood, usually one inch thick-by two or more inches in width and of suitable length, the body of the whiffletree narrowing down at each end to a width of about one and threequarter inches. The iron or metal part of the whiftletree 2 is formed of a rod, usually one half an inch in diameter, which is preferably flattened on its inner side to fit the edge of the wooden body. This metal rod is bent at its middle to form the U-shaped loop 3, the rod then running to the ends of the wooden body 1, around which it curves, being grooved and compressed at its ends to form the flangegrooves 4, (not shown,) in which the ends of the metal rod fit, the extremities of the rod being curved to form the hooks 5. Two small holes 6 6 are formed in the rod on each side of the middle loop 3, and at a short distance from the same in the body 1 are formed the transverse openings 7, with which the holes 6 register.

To secure the parts of the whiffletree together, a narrow metal plate 8 is preferably placed against the front side or edge of the ister with the transverse openings 7. The securing-bolts 9 are then passed through the openings in the metal rod against which the heads of the bolts bear and through the bodyopenings 7, with their threaded ends extending through the plate-openings 8. Nuts 9 are then screwed on the threaded ends of the bolts, thus firmly securing them in position.

In the ends of the rod 2 are formed the end holes 10, through which screws 11 are screwed into the ends of the wooden body 1. A 1ongitudinal groove 12 is preferably formed in the rear edge'of the wooden body 1, in which the rod 2 is partly seated.

In order to more effectively secure the rod 2 inposition on the tree and to protect the same, I provide the housing-plate 13, which is so constructed that it is divided into two parts, each being adapted to reach from the loop 3 to and around the end of the tree-body, as shown. Said housing is formed of sheet metal, being curved in cross-section, and, is secured in position by the staples 14 and screws 11, all reaching through the housing into the body of the tree.

The housing above described will not only secure the rod 2 in position, but will also protect' the wood from abrasion and may be replaced when worn.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that my new and improved whiffietree is extremely simple in its construction, thus greatly cheapening the cost of its manufacture, and that by the peculiar ar-' rangement of the wooden and metal parts it is rendered unusually strong for its weight, giving the maximum strength with the minimum weight. The metal rod is securedto the wooden body by the two bolts 9 and the two end screws 11, and the iron can thus be readily detached at any time to make incidental repairs, and the whiffletree can be easily adjusted to all upright clevises without the use of a lap-ring. The metal rod thus arranged will brace and strengthen the wooden body 1, giving the entire whiffletree unusual strength and rigidity.

It will be seen that by my invention I dispense with the usual bands encircling a whifwhililetree at the center of the same, this plate being formed with end openings 8, which reg-,

fletree, which are certain to become loose by reaso the wood shrinking or wearing.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the wooden body 1,

formed with the transverse openings 7, the metal rod 2, fitting the rear edge and ends of the wooden body and formed with the middle loop 3, the end hooks 5, and the holes 6 and 10, the securing-bolts 9, the retaining-screws 11, housing-plate 13, and retaining-staples 14, substantially as set forth.

2. The whiffletree consisting of the body 1,

.JOSEPH BROWN MGOALLUM.

Witnesses:

O. B. COX, A. L. BULLOCK. 

